Created
to be
Creative
Sue Tanner,
artist and
National Office
team member,
challenges us to
break creativity
out of the box
we’ve put it in
and rediscover
our creative DNA.
“In the beginning God
created the heavens
and the earth.” GENESIS 1:1
Right from the beginning of time,
God demonstrates His creativity. In
an extraordinary act, He creates the
heavens and the earth. Do you know
anyone else who can include that in
their resumé? The first chapter of the
Bible describes God speaking each
element of creation into being. "Let
there be light", He said. "And there
was!" ... L and, plants, sun, moon,
stars and creatures of all kinds.
“…In the image of God he
created them; male and
female he created them.”
GENESIS 1:27
We are the only part of creation that
has been created in the likeness of
God. Not only the ‘talented’ ones, but
all of us have been created in the image
of a creative God.
This aspect of God’s nature in us is
evident in children. Children love to
express themselves creatively, and this
is strongly encouraged.
resonate
· issue 32 · page 3
Abstract, splattered painted artworks
have proudly adorned family fridges for
generations and when at school, children
are encouraged to write stories and
create worlds form their imagination.
However, as children grow, creative
expressions become likened to childish
behaviour, and only the ‘talented’ are
encouraged to continue to create.
Are we forgetting that creativity
is part of who we are and how
we’re made?
Maybe we are putting creativity in
a box. When we hear the word, our
definition often starts and ends with
the arts. Expressions of creativity that
reflect the senses, visual arts (sight),
music (sound) and dance/movement
(sensory). Creativity is much more than
this and we can all access it.
“Creativity is intelligence
having fun.” ALBERT EINSTEIN
We are the most intelligent of all
of God’s creation and creativity
begins in our intellect. Our thoughts
and imaginations, our ability to find
solutions to complex problems and to
see different possibilities… these are all
expressions of creativity.
Dr Edward de Bono (the six thinking
hats guy) describes creativity as the
mind breaking out of established ways
of thinking in order to view things in
different ways. This sounds to me like
a mind explosion. Imagine the power of
a team, of many minds breaking out of
established ways of thinking bringing
together a kaleidoscope of thoughts
and imaginings.
People across all times and cultures
have creatively expressed thoughts,
ideas and stories through everything
from dance, paintings and music, to
inventions, technology and literature. If
creativity is an innate part of how God
made us, and part of all cultures, then
it must mean something for our faith
communities.
“… Go and make disciples
of all nations…” MATTHEW 28:19
It is easy to become complacent about
what it looks like to gather as believers.
We may even think that the way we
do ‘church’ is the right way and expect
anyone who walks through the door to
understand and feel comfortable with
our rituals.